Blue Ribbon smiles at Nuckols Farm

By Patty Kruszewski, Citizen Managing Editor

10/07/12

Henrico's Nuckols Farm Elementary School celebrated its new National Blue Ribbon School status Sept. 20 with a student body assembly, music, and visits from Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) leaders as well as representatives from Senator Mark Warner's office and the U.S. Dept. of Education.

Showing off the Blue Ribbon certificate at a reception following the ceremony [above] were Dr. Patrick Russo, HCPS superintendent; Deborah Delisle, assistant secretary, U.S. Dept. of Education; and Mary Cox, NFES principal.

Among the fifth-graders participating in the ceremony were David Lim, Kayla Walters, and Emma Connelly, who performed introductions, made remarks and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The fifth grade chorus also performed the song "Agents of Change" [inset].

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. The U.S. Department of Education will honor all of the nation’s 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools during a conference and awards ceremony Nov. 12-13 in Washington, DC.

The 10th Annual Filipino Festival will be held Aug. 7-8 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 8200 Woodman Rd., beginning with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Friday and continuing with live entertainment, food and exhibits until 10 p.m. On Saturday the festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a full schedule of performances featuring traditional Filipino dance, music and song.

Filipino cuisine, including BBQ, pansit, lumpia, adobo, halo-halo, lechon, empanada and leche flan, will be available for purchase. The festival will also feature a children's area, church tours, exhibits, and health screenings. > Read more.

The Children’s Museum of Richmond last week opened its new Short Pump location at Short Pump Town Center, to the delight of children who attended a sneak preview of the location July 10. The new facility, located under the forthcoming LL Bean store (formerly the food court) is 8,500 square feet in size – much larger than CMoR’s former Short Pump location at West Broad Village, which opened in 2010. The new space includes The CarMax Foundation Service Station, the Silver Diner, a grocery store, a performance stage and an art studio, as well as a giant Light Bright Wall. > Read more.

The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Henrico Police are both presenting community events tomorrow, Aug. 1. The Feria Community Resource Fair at Richmond International Raceway brings together community service providers, embassies/consulates from Latin American countries, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and corporations that impact the Latino community. The Division of Police’s Community Day will feature demonstrations and displays from police, fire, animal protection and sheriff’s office, as well as family activities, food, entertainment and more. Other events this weekend include wine, chess and theatre! For all our top picks this weekend, click here! > Read more.